Chapter 203 - Sure to Become a Great Figure

Yuanqi watched as Xu Ying and Dazhong swooped back and forth, harvesting the Mountain River Bright Moon Pearls. He cried out in panic, “Ah Ying, you can’t do that. We’re here as guests, umph—"

Xu Ying stuffed the pearls into his mouth, shutting him up.

Dazhong descended upon a pavilion in the tomb, suppressing it to keep the artifact from retaliating. This pavilion was an exotic treasure made up of other artifacts of varying sizes. Four bells hung beneath its eaves, each capable of channeling earth, water, wind, or fire. It packed incredible power.

Fortunately, the treasure lacked sentience, so Dazhong’s suppression completely neutralized its abilities.

Xu Ying heaved a corner of the pavilion upward and hoisted the entire three-story structure into the air.

Dazhong channeled his power from above, sending light rays cascading down that locked the building in place. The man and bell worked together to carry it toward Yuanqi.

Yuanqi cried in terror, “Ah Ying, if anyone sees us—mmh, mmph, we’re dead meat!”

Xu Ying emerged from Yuanqi’s throat with Dazhong following right behind him. Dazhong reminded, “Ah Ying, look at that waving-crest[1] bridge. Water-dragon Dao avatars brand its body, forming runes of a hundred dragons playing. It must be an exotic treasure.”

“Tear it apart!”

Xu Ying approached. Repeating their routine, Dazhong suppressed the bridge while Xu Ying dismantled it, breaking the hundred-dragon arch down and shoving it straight into Yuanqi’s stomach.

“Ah Ying, this waterfall is definitely no ordinary object. Its water has no source; it must be refined from supreme Yin qi. It can dissolve Primordial Spirit. It’s extremely formidable!”

“Tear it!”

“Ah Ying, look at those tomb-guarding beasts. If we get close, they’ll surely transform into archaic beasts. They’re refined from the soul and qi essences of gigantic beasts and reinforced with Dao avatars. They are exceptional artifacts!”

“Tear them!”

“Ah Ying, there’s a Dao platform over there!”

“Tear it!”

......

Xu Ying and Dazhong went back and forth busily, tearing apart Patriarch Azure Frost's tomb, Qiao Zizhong’s tomb, from top to bottom. Buildings, rock garden, and water feature; everything was taken apart. They even pried loose every golden floor brick.

The man, bell, and snake worked with practiced ease; this wasn’t their first rodeo. Dazhong suppressed the treasure to prevent alerting the owner, while Xu Ying carefully sent them into Yuanqi’s stomach.

Though Yuanqi was a chatterbox, he kept his voice low.

Now, Patriarch Azure Frost’s tomb was fresh and cool,[2] having been stripped clean. Only the black water pond and the coffin remained.

Dazhong said, “Ah Ying, any skeletal remains laid within that coffin will not decay, and it brings good luck to their descendants. The black water pond is likely an incredible treasure, too. They’re probably no inferior to the twenty-four Mountain River Bright Moon Pearls!”

Xu Ying gazed at the black water pond and the brocaded coffin, incredibly tempted. However, he held himself back. “I have a sinking suspicion that something ominous lurks beneath the pond. If we move the brocaded coffin, we’ll surely alert whatever is beneath the pond. Master Zhong, Master Qi, let’s go!”

Though reluctant, Dazhong had no choice but to retreat with him. Curiously, ever since Zhu Chanchan repaired his broken frame, he had picked up her bad habit of wanting to hoard every treasure in sight.

Being the meticulous one, Yuanqi said, “Ah Ying, all these treasures carry their owner’s markings. If he discovered that this place has been looted, he would summon his artifacts. My stomach can't suppress them all, and Patriarch Azure Frost will drag me along with the loot!”

Xu Ying laughed. “That’s why, Master Qi, you should head to the Fusang Tree immediately to see Chanchan and have her wipe away the patriarch’s marks. Once she handles the loot, it’ll be clean.”

Yuanqi realized this and voiced his assent.

They emerged from Uncle-Master Feng’s grave. Xu Ying looked around to make sure no one was nearby, then put away the broken wooden door.

Yuanqi moved stealthily through the mountains, passed over a few peaks, then rode sword qi to soar through the air, heading toward the Fusang Tree to seek out Zhu Chanchan.

Meanwhile, Xu Ying and Dazhong returned to the golden hall within the mountain and continued studying the successive patriarchs’ texts.

“Oh, right, I forgot to ask Master Qi from which era Patriarch Azure Frost was.”

Xu Ying searched through the texts but couldn’t find the one Yuanqi had mentioned. He didn’t dwell on it. He’s most likely a Qi Cultivator from the same era as Li Xiaoke, who faked his death because he had no hope of ascending and secretly passed on fake exorcism arts to nurture chives. Existences like him are just fish waiting on someone else's hook.

He devoted himself to studying Dao arts and divine abilities. A few days later, drawing parallels across his vast knowledge, he finally unlocked the deeper applications of the True, Spirit, Void, Stillness, Emptiness, and Clarity characters from the supreme immortal book.

Xu Ying summoned his Golden Core and closed his eyes. Through the intense water-and-fire tempering of the Transmutation Stage, his Golden Core had first achieved the True Fire and Divine Fire of Samadhi, then later the unclouded realm.

Now that he had broken through to the Second Gate-Knocking Stage, extending his lifespan mattered little. However, to further improve his Golden Core, he needed to reach a higher level of enlightenment.

Meanwhile, Dazhong was using the six secrets’ immortal herbs he had stolen from Xu Ying to cultivate when he suddenly felt an inexplicable tremor in his heart. He woke up involuntarily and saw that Xu Ying had summoned his Golden Core.

Dazhong watched silently as the Golden Core transformed into a boundless, edgeless void, completely unlike its previous form.

Before, Xu Ying’s Golden Core possessed sharp, defined boundaries because super-dense, hyper-pure vital energy formed it, reinforced by his divine sense.

He had also imprinted his comprehended Dao avatars onto the core to amplify its power, allowing him to deploy it like an offensive weapon.

Of course, while powerful, a shattered Golden Core meant severe injury or death.

Xu Ying had used his core to suppress enemies before; thankfully, that hadn’t damaged his core. Only after witnessing the tragic state of others with their Golden Cores shattered did he restrain himself.

Later, as he practiced the martial Dao, incredibly robust Martial Dao vital energy filled his Golden Core. The boundary between his Golden Core and the outside world became even more distinct!

Now, Dazhong realized that Xu Ying had actually achieved a Golden Core with no boundaries, only a sphere of pure light!

Transparent light!

Not only was there no boundary, Dazhong even felt the Golden Core was hollow and weightless, suspended there as if nothing existed in the air. He couldn’t sense the terrifying vital energy, the vast primordial qi, or the Dao avatars contained within Xu Ying’s Golden Core.

It hung there, yet it seemed unreal.

True, Spirit, Void, Stillness, Emptiness, and Clarity.

Originally, Dazhong had no interest in the Golden Vault Supreme Immortal Book, thinking that, as a sentient artifact, he had no need for it, or even the capacity to learn it. But now, seeing Xu Ying’s Golden Core in perfect unity, he had a sudden flash of enlightenment.

“If I comprehend these six characters, perhaps I can be boundless like the Golden Core and conceal myself in the void, translucent and impervious to harm.”

As he observed Xu Ying’s Golden Core, he felt that it seemed more like a microcosm of its own, connected to Xu Ying’s ethereal void, the outside world, and Dao arts.

Dazhong attained complete enlightenment. He rotated slowly, spontaneously manifesting Immortal Dao runes of the six characters across his surface.

Although he could not cultivate in the same way as Xu Ying or Yuanqi, he had developed sentience after all. Whenever he achieved enlightenment, they manifested as imprints on his walls.

In the past, fearing the neat-freak Li Xiaoke, Dazhong had refrained from imprinting himself. However, ever since he learned of Li Xiaoke’s true nature, he cast off all restraint.

The Golden Core cast a radiant glow that seemed to merge Xu Ying with his surroundings. His senses sharpened: touch grew richer, sight clearer. When he looked at the outside world, it was incredibly clear, like using his divine sense to observe his ethereal void, and the colors were so rich he felt deeply moved!

He could even sense the power of the Great Dao roaming freely between heaven and earth. It was mysterious yet untouchable. Still, he could comprehend and mobilize it as he wished!

Wherever his Golden Core's light reached, he embodied the Dao and dictated its laws.

This was the Great Dao of Golden Core!

“I wonder how far my Great Dao of Golden Core can shine?”

Just as Xu Ying was about to step out of this golden hall, Yan Kongcheng’s voice came from outside. “Ah, I completely forgot, Brother Xu. I accidentally activated this library’s restraints and trapped you all inside here. Slumbering for three thousand years has made me muddle-headed!”

Yan Kongcheng appeared before Xu Ying with a bright smile. “You won’t blame me, will you?”

Hovering behind Xu Ying, Dazhong whispered, “Ah Ying, this guy is so fake. He’s bound to become someone important someday.”

Xu Ying nodded slightly and offered a hollow smile. “An honest mistake. How could I blame you? We’re old acquaintances of three thousand years, Ah Cheng. Brothers and family rarely last a century, let alone three millennia, yet our bond endures.”

Like kindred spirits sympathizing with each other, Yan Kongcheng said, “You are so right, Brother Xu. I’ve come to inform you that I’ve already unlocked my six secrets and opened my grotto heavens one by one. I’m sure you’re overjoyed that my cultivation has increased significantly.”

Unable to contain his joy, Xu Ying laughed. “You’re a true genius, Ah Cheng. How could I not be happy for your breakthrough? As for me, I’ve also achieved some proficiency in the Great Dao of Golden Core!”

Yan Kongcheng was visibly moved and gasped, “You’ve actually mastered the Great Dao of Golden Core in such a short time. I’m far inferior to you, Brother Xu! Before your seclusion, your divine abilities, cultivation techniques, movement techniques, and understanding of the Dao were all below me. You must have caught up to me by now.”

Dazhong was slightly confused. Was Ah Ying the one who lost a few days ago? Did I get infected by Master Jin and have memory problems now?

Xu Ying burst out laughing. “Ah Cheng, Emei’s Dao arts are truly extraordinary. After you die, your mouth will surely remain intact for ten thousand years without rotting away. When grave robbers dig you up, your mouth will still leap out to curse them!”

Yan Kongcheng laughed. Looking at his hands, he said with a hollow smile, “Talk is cheap. Actually, I really want to experience your skills again, Brother Xu.”

Xu Ying held out his hands, examining his fingernails, and said calmly, “I hope your mouth is as tough as before, Ah Cheng.”

Yan Kongcheng replied calmly, “My fists are tougher than before, at least.”

The two walked outside while Dazhong followed behind them, swaying unsteadily. Ah Ying won’t have an advantage in cultivation this time. Yan Kongcheng has unlocked his six secrets. In that process, he must have opened several grotto heavens in one breath. With his current cultivation, he could open his grotto heavens straight to the fourth level.

Xu Ying had also opened the grotto heavens of his six secrets to the fourth level, for a total of twenty-eight grotto heavens.

If Yan Kongcheng had also opened his six secrets to the fourth level, then his physical vigor, primordial qi, heart energy, divine sense, soul, and Yin and Yang qi would likely be on par with Xu Ying!

On the other hand, Xu Ying had only comprehended the Great Dao of Golden Core for a few days. His familiarity with applying Dao arts would certainly be inferior.

With the shift in their strength, Dazhong didn’t think Xu Ying had a good chance.

Before they realized it, Xu Ying and Yan Kongcheng had come outside of the mountain. Xu Ying saw the Emei peaks spread out beautifully below in perfect alignment, and a sea of clouds floated around them. The peaks poked out from the clouds like gold and jade, offering a magnificent sight that left one feeling refreshed.

As soon as Xu Ying summoned his Golden Core, it cast a clear radiance that connected with the Emei peaks’ rosy light of ascension and faintly resonated with the Great Dao of heaven and earth.

Yan Kongcheng was slightly shaken inside upon seeing that Xu Ying had truly mastered the Great Dao of Golden Core and summoned his own Golden Core.

The two Golden Cores floated in the air, their radiance intertwining, rivaling the brilliance of the sun and the moon. Even the sun hanging in the sky wasn’t as bright as their cores!

Throughout the Emei peaks, the winds and clouds swirled as if stirred by an invisible hand. Lightning crackled in the void, gradually forming a storm.

Both of them silently resonated with heaven and earth as they pushed their Golden Cores to the limit, trying to mobilize even more primordial qi and the Great Dao of heaven and earth.

Xu Ying had long wanted to know the limits of his Golden Core’s ability to resonate with heaven and earth. He immediately pushed its radiance to shine further and chuckled. “Ah Cheng, if you can’t withstand this, why not open your six secrets and let me offer some guidance on your exorcist cultivation?”

Seeing that Xu Ying hadn’t mobilized his grotto heavens, Yan Kongcheng refused to do so first. He smiled back. “Brother Xu, you’re older than me, after all. The old shouldn’t try to rely on brute strength. I’ll let you open your grotto heavens first!”

As their vital energy gradually peaked, Xu Ying’s eyes widened. The vital energy above him formed a cloud of qi, floating unsteadily as it made the sound of clashing weapons.

He chuckled. “Ah Cheng, I once devoted myself to cultivating the martial Dao, tempering my spirit and will, and refined the martial Dao into my Golden Core. Even without opening my grotto heavens, I can hold on for a long time!”

Yan Kongcheng’s face twitched slightly. A wisp of green qi surged skyward from his head, fluttering like a banner as he smiled. “Our supreme patriarch verified the Supreme Dao Seeking Art to be a cultivation technique that allows one to ascend to immortality. Do you think the mere martial Dao is equal to our cultivation technique?”

Their faces gradually twisted, yet none of them activated their six secrets and opened their grotto heavens.

They both channeled their Golden Core, striving to make it envelop a wider area than their opponent's and seize the upper hand.

Dazhong thought calmly, This must be the downside to practicing the Great Dao of Golden Core.Two Qi Cultivators with similar cultivation levels practiced the Great Dao of Golden Core to mobilize the Great Dao and primordial qi of heaven and earth at the same time. So, who should the Great Dao and the primordial qi obey?

Yan Kongcheng and Xu Ying’s faces grew increasingly twisted, slowly turning ferocious.

Xu Ying laughed. “Ah-Ah Cheng, you can’t hold on any longer, can you? I-If you can’t hold on, then say so. I-It’s no shame!”

Yan Kongcheng’s eyes widened as if they were about to pop out of their sockets. His face flushed, and he struggled to squeeze out his words. “Br-Brother Xu, I see you st-stammering, un-unable to speak clearly. Y-You can’t keep going, can you? Do-Don’t force yourself...”

The two stared at each other, sweat pouring from their foreheads like a waterfall.

Dazhong was convinced. When two Qi Cultivators who both practice the Great Dao of Golden Core face off, it’s best for them to come to blows right from the start and not use their Golden Core at all. Otherwise, they’d be in this situation.”

Struggling to hold on, Xu Ying said with a trembling voice, “L-Let’s open together?”

Yan Kongcheng had already reached the limit of what he could endure, so he nodded. “On my co-count, one, two, th-three!”

Boom!

The two opened their grotto heavens almost simultaneously. Immediately, blinding light shot straight into the sky, and twenty-eight dazzling grotto heavens appeared behind each of them, vying to outshine the other!

After mobilizing his grotto heavens, Xu Ying realized that his primordial qi cultivation was still far above Yan Kongcheng’s. Without any hesitation, he unleashed a palm strike. Like an immortal artifact descending from the sky, he flipped heaven upside down. It was the first art of the Eight Arts of the Combat God, Heaven-Flipping!

Rumble!

As this palm strike crashed down, everything was crushed, even if Yan Kongcheng tried to use the Great Dao of Golden Core or any divine abilities.

Yan Kongcheng heard his own bones snapping as he was blown backward and slammed into the golden peak dozens of li away.

Xu Ying laughed out loud, his laughter echoing between the mountains.

“I’ve consumed so much Origin Dao Essence and refined immortal herbs. How could my mystical power not overwhelm yours?”

***

At Emei Patriarch Azure Frost’s tomb.

The calm black pond suddenly rippled. Ring after ring of ripples undulated from the surface, spreading outward. It grew increasingly violent, and the sound of water splashing rang out. Amid the splashing, a snort was heard, humming a bright, cheerful tune.

“Harvest complete. The yield is pretty good this time... Huh? Did I walk into the wrong place?”

1. A purely aesthetic designation from the idiom "长虹卧波" which translates to "a long rainbow resting across the waves,” used to describe the rhythmic curvature of consecutive arches over a wide body of water. For reference: https://pic2.zhimg.com/v2-d658b1ad30c65b540acd376203215a21_1440w.jpg ☜

2. A pun here, Azure Frost and fresh and cool sound very similar. ☜